Summer Sailstice founder honored at U.S. Sailboat Show

Annapolis Boat Shows named John Arndt the winner of the 2015 Distinguished Service Award as the sailing industry gathered Thursday at a networking party to celebrate the opening day of the U.S. Sailboat Show.

Arndt is the founder of Summer Sailstice, a global sailing holiday he started in 2001 to create a worldwide celebration of sailing on the weekend nearest the solstice.

"I started the Summer Sailstice global celebration of sailing to get 'the whole world sailing.' Sailors are fantastic people who share a passion for moving along with just the power of the wind,” Arndt said in a statement. “We love sharing it with others, and Summer Sailstice is a tool for sailors to share sailing with others."

He is also associate publisher at Latitude 38, a monthly publication dedicated to the interests of the West Coast sailor, and he chairs the board of SailSFBay, a nonprofit dedicated to growing participation in sailing.

Arndt served a year on the board of the Northern California Marina Association, two terms on the board of Sail America, as the Strictly Sail Boat Show chairman for 10 years and as its national committee chairman for two years.

Introducing the Distinguished Service Award, Paul Jacobs, Annapolis Boat Shows president, said, "An important economic driver of the regional maritime industry, the Annapolis Boat Shows works overtime to showcase the beauty and history of Annapolis, the sailing capital of the world."

The sailboat show continues through 5 p.m. today. The U.S. Powerboat Show opens at 10 a.m. Thursday and will run through 5 p.m. Sunday.